Scents and Scentuality: Essential Oils and Aromatherapy for Love, Romance, and Sex

This is an awesome book. I can't wait to try some of the formulas. There's a lot of information regarding our sense of smell and how it works along with formulas to try to enhance your sensuality and sexuality.

Valerie Ann Worwood has created one of the most interesting and entertaining books on sensuality and sexuality I've ever read. She presents intriguing stories from history and includes a short section on the language of love in flowers and herbs. Valerie Ann Worwood seems to work as a part-time sex therapist, making up blends for various concerns. She advises against using aphrodisiacs like Spanish fly and suggests using a variety of essential oils to induce passion or interest in sensuality. There are lots of recipes using a wide variety of essential oils. For example here are the ingredients for an uplifting bath: pettigrain, neroli and orange. For anxiety you might want to try rose, chamomile and neroli. While this book is mostly for women there is a section on the sensual man. Women might be interested in making up some blends for their lover. In the women's section there are recipes for PMS massage oils and cellulite eliminator oils. The chapter on touch/massage is very helpful and informative although I'd recommend watching a massage DVD in addition to reading the chapter. There is an interesting section on how to scent "ink" for when you write your lover letters. While others have complained that there is no safety information on the oils used I can report that there is a list of oils not to use and many cautions throughout the various sections about essential oils that are poisonous and could irritate the skin or mucous membranes. There is definitely a warning about not using too much ginger. Some of the essential oils used in this book include: lavender, bergamot, jonquil, tonka bean, chamomile, petitgrain, patchouli, rose orange, cedarwood, neroli, chamomile and jasmine. I was surprised that she didn't mention the artificial Egyptian musk (Caswell Massey sells it or look for The Body Shop Musk Perfume Oil) as it is a very sexy fragrance. I can also recommend: Aura Cacia Pure Aromatherapy, Love Potion, .5-Ounces (Pack of 2) Kama Sutra Massage Oil Therapy Kit Herbal Infusion Tea-Passion ~The Rebecca Review

The author examines the powerful sense of smell and shows how pure essential oils of nature can enhance the pleasures of daily life, with emphasis on the romantic side of life. The chapters discuss questions like What are essential oils? How to use them, The scentuous woman, The scentuous man and Synergistic blends of oils, among others. The text includes many tables of oils suitable to various body types and hair colours as well as tables recommending the right oils for a variety of conditions including tension, stress, anxiety and depression. This is quite an authoritative book on essential oils and their applications with a beautifully illustrated text. An extensive bibliography and index round off this valuable contribution to the literature on the therapeutic uses of fragrance. Definitely a must for aromatherapists and for practitioners of alternative medicine.

I agree that there should be warnings about a few of the oils mentioned in this book. That aside, it is well worth getting if you are more experienced and know something about the oils already. It is full of many ideas and recipes specific to romantic and sexual aromatherapy, and would help complete that area of your library. I recommend it not as a basic, but as something more in depth.

Valerie Worwood has put together another great aromatherapy source. Focusing on love, romance and sensuality this is another "must have" for your aromatherapy library. Great information on how essential oils work, affect our emotions, and horomone release.